Apples On A Stick: The Folklore of Black Children

1. Citation : Michels, Barbara and Bettye White. 1983. Apples on a stick: the folklore of black children. New York, NY: Coward-McCann, Inc. ISBN 0-698-20567-7
2. Plot Summary : Michels and White have created a collection of playground poetry. They collected these from children in Houston, TX. Collected are over 50 poems and rhymes that are fun for people of all ages. This is a fascinating collection of poetry from African American children. The poetry they have collected is a history of playground rhymes that are an integral part of the African American childhood experience.
3. Critical Analysis : The sing song pattern of these rhymes goes back to the call & response of slavery days. While children of the modern times are far removed they still continue to hold their connection with this kind of poetry. Also, it is important to note that these have been assembled and created over a long period of time. Children of yesteryear were not afforded the luxuries that children have now a days. A jump rope, marbles and a four square ball was how they entertained themselves. These hand rhymes and poems were created to coincide with these activities. And in essence they were created out of necessity, to be entertained and tell a story at the same time. Urban or rural, the collection itself is extensive, but what really interest the reader are the illustrations. Pinkney has illustrations that capture the youth in the midst of handclapping or jumping rope. The pencil drawings are fine and give excellent detail. They show the joy of the children. An excellent example is that of Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack. Mary Mack is depicted as the cutest little girl with a huge bow in her hair and long socks with a little dress. I never would have pictured her like that, but Pinkney has given the girl class and culture even though she is really just a figment of our imagination. The children playing in the street in front of the brownstones is indicative of children who are from the East Coast. This is an imperative note because while the collection was gathered in the South the rhymes can be found almost everywhere where there are African American children.
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5. Connections : Dotlich, Rebecca Kai and Melanie W. Hall. Over in the Pink House: New Jump Rope Rhymes. ISBN: 1590780272

   Cole, Joanna, Stephanie Calmenson and Alan Tiegreen. Miss Mary Mack and Other Children's Street Rhymes. ISBN: 0688083307.

   Delmar, Gloria T. Children's Counting-Out Rhymes, Fingerplays, Jump-Rope, and Bounce-Ball Chants and Other Rhythms: A comprehensive English-Language Reference. ISBN: 0899500641